Jiang Zhiwei slightly frowned and said, “We cannot decide on his behalf regarding such matters.”
The old Taoist chuckled and transmitted his voice, “Don’t worry, lay devotees. I merely ask you to deliver a message. Whether he agrees or not depends entirely on Su’s own will. After all, reinforcements from Golden Light Cave won’t arrive for at least two more days. There’s still ample time.”
He knows so much… Jiang Zhiwei and the others instinctively thought. Especially Tian Kuo, who, amidst his shock, suddenly realized that it hadn’t been accidental hints from the old Taoist during his fortune-telling, but rather deliberate revelations!
What exactly does he intend to do?
While the three pondered in confusion, the old Taoist continued, “The favor I’m asking of Su is very simple—merely a small effort on his part. Take this item to him, and I believe he will agree upon seeing it.”
As he spoke, a brocade pouch suddenly appeared in Tian Kuo’s hands, as if materializing out of thin air. It was light and weightless, containing something peculiar. Using mere spiritual sense, one couldn’t even perceive its existence.
Seeing that the old Taoist’s request wasn’t excessive, Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu exchanged glances and agreed, looking at the pouch. Naturally, it would be Tian Kuo who carried out the task. Under the current circumstances, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to slip out, but sneaking back in under the watchful eyes of a Grandmaster would be impossible.
…
Inside a quiet study within Tian Manor.
While nobles in the upper ranks were panicking and important figures sought refuge near experts at the peak of martial cultivation, Meng Qi, Qi Zhengyan, and Zhao Heng leisurely relaxed in the mansion of the Grand Judicial Commissioner.
With Tian Kuo’s help, they had secretly hidden themselves inside Tian Manor once again!
Tian Kuo didn’t dare delay for long, lest his father grow suspicious. Seizing the opportunity during his return from a patrol duty, he quickly relayed the details and finally handed the brocade pouch to Meng Qi.
“This old Taoist… his item cannot be sensed with spiritual awareness…” Meng Qi furrowed his brows, vaguely recalling something familiar. He speculated about the old Taoist’s identity and intentions. Previously, Zhao Heng had already mentioned Tian Kuo’s fortune-telling incident. Yet, after much discussion, the three couldn’t confirm any wrongdoing on the old Taoist’s part. Now that he had taken the initiative, it was even more reason for caution.
Under the gaze of six eyes, Meng Qi opened the pouch.
At that very moment, he suddenly understood what the item inside was—and why it felt familiar!
Sliding out from one side of the pouch, the object landed in Meng Qi’s palm. It was about the size of a hand, black in color, with golden seal script engraved upon it:
“Disciple of Yu Xu!”
Exactly as expected!
He himself also possessed such an identification badge, which could block spiritual perception but otherwise showed no abnormalities.
But coming from the old Taoist’s hands, its meaning was entirely different. Meng Qi had obtained his from a fairyland heritage, with Yu Xu Palace separated by vast distances. Yet the old Taoist was likely a direct disciple of Yu Xu!
Was he the so-called remnant of Yu Xu?
Was he helping Meng Qi because he recognized the Eight-Nine Profound Skill?
“Disciple of Yu Xu?” Zhao Heng, Qi Zhengyan, and Tian Kuo exclaimed simultaneously. As the foremost sect among the Three Pure Ones and the first of the Nine Taoist Venerables, Yuanshi Tianzun was renowned in both Meng Qi’s world and the Fengshen World. Especially here, where the Fengshen War had ended merely five hundred years ago, various legends were still vivid. Suddenly encountering an authentic disciple of Yu Xu, they couldn’t help but be astonished.
Tian Kuo sighed deeply, “Never would I have thought that Yu Xu still had inheritors…”
Zhao Heng and Qi Zhengyan had both heard Meng Qi mention the remnants of Yu Xu before. Upon hearing this, they exchanged glances. Meng Qi feigned nonchalance and asked, “Does Yu Xu have no other inheritors left?”
“After the Fengshen War, the Chan Sect—also known as the Yu Xu lineage—suffered heavy losses. Apart from the royal family, only a few feudal states remained connected to them. Later, the Twelve Golden Immortals gradually withdrew from the mortal world. Even Yun Zhongzi, who wasn’t among them, vanished without a trace, leading to further decline.”
“Nowadays, even Qi, a state that once produced a hegemon, has fallen into obscurity among major powers, barely maintaining the reputation of the Yu Xu lineage. Other branches are merely offshoots of offshoots, even targeted and secretly suppressed by certain states and Buddhist-Taoist sects.” As the son of a high-ranking noble, Tian Kuo had some knowledge of such matters. His previous astonishment stemmed from the fact that, aside from Qi, there was another inheritor of Yu Xu!
Such a badge was difficult to forge. Without the cultivation techniques of Yu Xu, even its special properties couldn’t be activated.
So it was only within certain states and factions that Yu Xu disciples were considered remnants… Meng Qi silently exhaled in relief, idly playing with the badge. He vaguely felt an indescribable compatibility between it and his own cultivation method, which differed from the one he had obtained from the seal.
Were the two badges different? Meng Qi didn’t inspect them immediately. After a moment’s contemplation, he said, “Please inform that senior tomorrow that I accept his request.”
Simply being related to Yu Xu Palace was enough for him to agree. Let alone the possibility of rescuing many Mohists!
…
The next day, Tian Kuo conveyed Meng Qi’s response to the old Taoist, Jiang Zhiwei, and Ruan Yushu.
The old Taoist smiled, “See? Wasn’t what I said true?”
After the joke, his expression turned serious, “Due to certain constraints, I cannot directly intervene. However, I can help you evade the Grandmasters’ surveillance. Do you have confidence in defeating the guards?”
“Constraints?” Jiang Zhiwei repeated inwardly, increasingly sensing the mysterious and eerie nature of the Fengshen World.
Tian Kuo promptly relayed the relevant information: “Currently, there is one external guardian each on the fifth and sixth levels. They’re not at the peak level, likely around two or three heavenly layers. Moreover, numerous jailers at the Eight-Nine Apertures level are distributed across all six levels.”
Jiang Zhiwei thought for a moment, glanced at Ruan Yushu to confirm her condition, and then said, “No problem!”
Even if there were powerful secret treasures, they had countermeasures. As for the rest, they would rely on their swords to carve a path forward!
The old Taoist said nothing more. He stomped his right foot downward, causing the entire prison to emit a faint ripple. Instantly, it became tranquil, as if suddenly isolated from the outside world.
Jiang Zhiwei retrieved the concealed Juzi Ring, grasped the White Rainbow Piercing Sun Sword, and with a slight exertion of force, the steel shackles shattered instantly.
A flash of sword light, and the steel chains binding Ruan Yushu fell to the ground. The prison door opened.
The other prisoners watched in astonishment as Jiang Zhiwei knocked Tian Kuo unconscious and tossed him into a corner.
“Do not move before we return. Violators will be treated as these chains!”
Without a sound, the steel chains on the ground turned to powder—not crushed, but sliced!
The terrifying sword intent penetrated each prisoner’s heart, instilling fear and making them tremble with weakness.
Jiang Zhiwei strode forward, heading straight for the second-level door. With a distant swing of her sword, the thick iron gate opened effortlessly.
Sword light crisscrossed as Jiang Zhiwei continued her advance. One by one, jailers were struck in vital points and rendered unconscious, completely unable to resist.
Clomp, clomp, clomp, clomp—she and Ruan Yushu proceeded smoothly and soon reached the entrance to the fifth level.
Pure sword light, like a long rainbow, struck the ornate iron gate. Without any array enhancement, it was fragile and easily split open.
The external guardian inside was startled. His right hand gripped his sword while his left subtly clutched a secret treasure.
At that moment, Ruan Yushu had already begun playing the Qifeng Qin. A clear, high-pitched cry echoed from the heavens, and behind her appeared a noble and powerful phoenix phantom, its back adorned with five virtuous feathers. It circled upward and dove into the external guardian’s soul.
The external guardian was momentarily stunned. Under the sword technique of “No Self, No Form,” a moment of distraction meant losing one’s life!
The sword light was brilliant and pure, devoid of self and form. A powerful sword intent flashed by, and the external guardian fell to the ground. A faint red mark appeared at his brow’s center—externally unscathed, but internally ravaged by sword qi into an empty shell.
Jiang Zhiwei didn’t stop to collect the secret treasures and storage pouches. She strode forward, rushing to the entrance of the sixth level. The external guardian stationed inside had sensed the commotion outside and was already heading toward the core chamber where the defensive array was activated!
The two met at the entrance to the sixth level. Jiang Zhiwei unleashed her sword technique, severe and imposing, so fast that the many Nine-Aperture Mohists couldn’t even catch sight of her sword shadows—only feeling the delayed sensation of sword light.
The external guardian was completely suppressed, feeling each of her sword strikes faster than the last, like endless waves of the sea, with pressure increasing over time.
Stone after stone of the formation shattered into countless fragments. Without resorting to her Dharma Body techniques, Jiang Zhiwei unleashed her full prowess, completely suppressing the outer guardian to the point where he couldn’t even find an opportunity to deploy his hidden treasures.
As Ruan Yushu was about to assist, she suddenly sensed movement from among the Mohists—someone had slipped out of their cell and was rushing toward her.
An infiltrator still hiding!
Remaining composed and unflustered, she played the qin again. The phoenix phantom reappeared, its cry clear and resonant, echoing through the heavens and lingering in the air.
The infiltrator’s soul trembled slightly, his mind momentarily dazed, as the phoenix phantom flew into his ears.
Immediately afterward, his heart ignited spontaneously, burning him to ashes without wind or flame!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing treasures continued. Sweat beaded on the external guardian’s forehead as he instinctively defended himself. If not for Jiang Zhiwei’s restraint to avoid harming the Mohists inside the prison, he would have faced even greater difficulty.
Just as he was purely defending himself with instinct, he suddenly noticed the sensation of emptiness—no sword light was attacking!
Jiang Zhiwei perceived his state and deliberately slowed down, creating an opportunity!
The sword struck, and everything momentarily slowed. Already having missed his block, the external guardian was even slower to counterattack. Helplessly, he watched the sword pass by and pierce into his brow’s center!
Wiping away the blood, sheathing her sword, Jiang Zhiwei cheerfully said to Ruan Yushu, “Identify their identities.”
One by one, Ruan Yushu identified them, and two infiltrators were executed by Jiang Zhiwei.
After completing this process, Jiang Zhiwei turned to the old Taoist who had followed them in and earnestly asked, “Senior, how do we get them to escape under the Grandmasters’ watchful eyes?”
In fact, she already had a plan, as Tian Kuo had brought in the Shanghe Sheji Diagram, which could still be used once. Simply placing the Mohists inside would allow two or three people to leave without drawing attention.
However, she now wanted to witness the old Taoist’s abilities.
The old Taoist chuckled, “Watch my method.”
With a flick of his sleeve, it rapidly expanded, dark and chaotic inside, as if forming its own world.
Strange winds arose, pulling force emerged, and one by one, the confirmed Mohists flew into the old Taoist’s sleeve!
“Sleeve of Qiankun?” Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu exclaimed simultaneously.
This was a famous supernatural ability from ancient times, already lost during the era of the Nine Taoist Venerables!
The old Taoist gathered his sleeve and chuckled, “An unexpected gain of mine. Since it doesn’t have a known name, how would I know what it’s called?”
He continued walking out while making slight changes to their appearances, pretending to be jailers, and left casually.
…
Outside the city, Meng Qi bowed in gratitude to the old Taoist, while Jiang Zhiwei and others deliberately kept their distance, arranging for the future of the Mohists.
“We are all disciples of Yu Xu. There’s no need for thanks,” the old Taoist waved off Meng Qi’s gratitude. “Have the exposed Mohists flee far away. Those not yet exposed should temporarily refrain from any actions. Otherwise, when ‘King Chu’ arrives, things will spiral out of control.”
“King Chu? Is this related to the State of Chu?” Meng Qi was surprised. Not just Golden Light Cave?
Logically, King Chu had already gained significant benefits and wouldn’t interfere in this matter!
“Hehe, this King Chu is not that King Chu. It’s King Zhuang of Chu, who resides in hiding at Golden Light Cave,” the old Taoist shook his head and smiled.
“King Zhuang of Chu? One of the Six Hegemons? He’s still alive?” Meng Qi was shocked.
The old Taoist smirked, “Of course he’s still alive, living quite well. Not only him, but Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Wen of Tang, Emperor Lie of Ming, and Duke Mu of Qin are all still alive. This matter is directly ordered by King Zhuang, who wants to see you alive or dead.”
“Junior has no grudge with King Zhuang of Chu. Why would he target me?” Meng Qi was puzzled.
Indeed, the Fengshen World still had many Fa Shen cultivators, but why were they all hiding?
The old Taoist chuckled, “After the world was damaged, strange phenomena emerged. We searched various places to uncover the truth. Several years ago, Yu Xu Palace reappeared, intermittently. We all competed for it, but only King Zhuang obtained an item from it.”
“Yu Xu Palace?” Meng Qi’s eyes widened, his breath quickening.
Yu Xu Palace still exists?
What did King Zhuang of Chu obtain from it?
“The old Taoist coveted this item and has been lingering around Chu, Tang, and Chen. The other day, the item suddenly emitted brilliant light, illuminating the nine heavens. The old Taoist calculated its fate and found it connected to you. I’m sure King Zhuang also saw the key point, hence the order to see you alive or dead. If not for certain constraints, he would have come to ‘find’ you personally long ago.” The old Taoist didn’t hide his “covetousness.”
No wonder Golden Light Cave’s attitude changed so drastically! Meng Qi was about to ask a question when he suddenly frowned. This old Taoist always used “we” and “us”—what exactly was his background?
“Dare I ask the senior’s esteemed name and surname?” Meng Qi shifted his question.
The old Taoist laughed heartily, “The old Taoist’s surname is Jiang, family name Lü, and my given name is Xiao Bai.”
Lü Xiao Bai, Qi Xiao Bai?
Duke Huan of Qi!
So he was indeed a genuine disciple of Yu Xu! Meng Qi was startled.
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